Live Oak Farms: 100 years in the making
Rows of tomato vines and bell peppers at Live Oak Farms have been catching the morning light in a scene that has been repeating itself every summer for nearly 100 years. But between all the rows of vegetables is a story that begins across the ocean, where a young farmer named Marino Giampaoli dreamed of building a new life.
Peterson Brands acquires Country Pure Foods
Peterson Brands LLC, a leading provider of high-quality fruit and vegetable beverages, part of the Peterson Farms Family of Cos., acquires Country Pure Foods. This acquisition strengthens Peterson Brands’ position in key beverage categories and expands its presence across both retail and foodservice markets.
National Opal Apple Day offers fresh ways to engage shoppers
FirstFruits Farms, the exclusive grower of Opal apples, invites consumers and retailers nationwide to celebrate National Opal Apple Day on Dec. 9, honoring one of the most unique and beloved apples on the market.
What Chefs Want to acquire Puzycki’s Produce and Specialty Foods
What Chefs Want is under contract to acquire Puzycki’s Produce and Specialty Foods, a respected supplier of fresh produce and specialty food items based in St. Petersburg, FL. The transaction is scheduled to close on Jan. 12.
Organic Grower of the Year's unique path to organic leadership
The Organic Grower Summit named Arnott Duncan, founder of Duncan Family Farms, as the 2025 Grower of the Year. The John Deere-sponsored award recognizes Duncan's three-decade transformation from small-scale agritourism operator to organic farming innovator managing 3,850 acres across three states.
Natural Grocers shares key trends for living well
Natural Grocers has released its Top Trends for 2026. Now in its 10th year, the forecast outlines emerging practices and products expected to influence four core categories: health and wellness, body care and beauty, food and beverage and ecologically thoughtful living.
Albertsons launches AI shopping assistant
Albertsons announced a major milestone in its digital transformation journey — the launch of the Albertsons AI shopping assistant, an industry-leading web browser experience designed to make grocery shopping faster, smarter and more personalized.
Lipman donates $2 million for hunger relief
Lipman Family Farms is deepening its generational commitment to fighting hunger. Its latest $2 million investment will help to build a new facility for the Harry Chapin Food Bank of southwest Florida in Fort Myers.The center — set to break ground this November and completion by the end of next year — will expand the food bank’s ability to sort, pack and distribute fresh, nutritious food to thousands of families facing hunger.
FPFC’s year-end gathering returns
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will close out the year with one of its most anticipated traditions: the FPFC Holiday Reception, set for Dec. 11 at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort. Running from 4 to 7 p.m., the reception has long been considered a signature year-end gathering for the West Coast produce and floral industries, and this year’s event leaned even further into community, celebration and a focus on the industry’s future.
Sunny Valley International expands its sales team
Sunny Valley International, a leading supplier of domestic and imported fruit on the East Coast, welcomed Kevin Lyons and Paul Pascal to its sales team on Dec. 1.